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Abbott, Franklin

 Person

Biography of Franklin Abbott

Franklin Abbott is a psychotherapist, writer, poet, artist, and gay activist. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1950, Abbott earned an undergraduate degree at Mercer University and his Master of Social Work at the University of Georgia. Since 1979, he has practiced psychotherapy in Atlanta. Abbott was an original member of the Radical Faeries and has explored numerous aspects of spirituality. He has facilitated many self-help and healing workshops on gay identity and other issues. A leading organizer in the Atlanta gay community, he co-founded the Atlanta Circle of Healing and established the Atlanta Queer Literary Festival. Abbott has corresponded with gay men, poets, and radicals from all over the world including Harry Hay, James Broughton, and Assotto Saint, and was a pioneer in the pro-feminist men's movement. The author of two books of poetry, Mortal Love: Selected Poems, 1971-1998 and Pink Zinnia (2009), he also edited three anthologies on men and gender: New Men, New Minds: Breaking Male Tradition (1987), Men and Intimacy: Personal Accounts of the Dilemmas of Modern Male Sexuality (1990), and Boyhood: Growing up Male (1993).

Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:

Always, Ever and Only by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_AlwaysEverandOnly
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013
Found in: Special Collections / Collection on James Broughton / Big Joy Digital collection

Escape to Siam by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_EscapetoSiam
Scope and Contents

Performance by Bob Strain and Franklin Abbott. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013
Found in: Special Collections / Collection on James Broughton / Big Joy Digital collection

Franklin Abbott oral history interview, September 30, 2011

 Item — Othertype Oral History: Series I; Series II; Series III; Series IV
Identifier: AbbottF_20110930
Scope and Contents Interviewed by Wesley Chenault. Abbott first discusses his grandparent’s and parent’s lives in Alabama. Then he describes the move from Birmingham to Buffalo to Nashville. He explains the challenges of his high school years and the freedom he gained while at Mercer College. Abbott describes his politicization with racial and gender justice while in school and details his coming out experiences in his mid-20s. He reflects on lesbian and gay organizing in Atlanta and the work he did in...
Dates: September 30, 2011
Found in: Special Collections / Gender and Sexuality Oral History Collection

Franklin Abbott oral history interview, December 14, 2015

 Item — Othertype Oral History: Series I; Series II; Series III; Series IV
Identifier: AbbottF_20151214
Scope and Contents Interviewed by Jaseon Ezell. Abbott shares the tensions between gay men and lesbians. He outlines the historical roles that religious groups' played in supporting the beginnings of the gay movement. Het then discusses the history of the Radical Faeries and Gay Spirit Visions and the friendships he developed because of these community spaces—particularly his friendship with Raven Wolfdancer. Abbott talks about AIDS and the impact of the disease on his writing and spiritual communities. He...
Dates: December 14, 2015
Found in: Special Collections / Gender and Sexuality Oral History Collection

Here's to It by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_HerestoIt
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013
Found in: Special Collections / Collection on James Broughton / Big Joy Digital collection

I Heard in the Shell by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_IHeardintheShell
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, and Franklin Abbott. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013
Found in: Special Collections / Collection on James Broughton / Big Joy Digital collection

Song of the Bed by James Broughton, performed by Franklin Abbott, Janet Metzger, Sam Hagan, and Bob Strain at the Rialto Theater (Atlanta), November 9, 2013

 Item
Identifier: W146_SongoftheBed
Scope and Contents

Performance by Sam Hagan, Bob Strain, Franklin Abbott, and Janet Metzger. This performance of a James Broughton poem set to music was part of This Is It: The Big Joy Centennial Birthday Party, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of poet and filmmaker James Broughton.

Dates: November 9, 2013
Found in: Special Collections / Collection on James Broughton / Big Joy Digital collection

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